Dhing gangrape: Muslim villagers refuse Tafajjul’s janaja, family banished

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 24, 2024

In a strong response to the crime involving the prime accused, Tafajjul Islam, the residents of Borbheti have collectively decided not to allow Tafajjul Islam’s burial in the village graveyard. Furthermore, they have banished his family from the village, reflecting their deep outrage and disapproval of his actions.

Notably, Tafajjul Islam’s ancestral village Borbheti is dominated by the minority Muslim community.

This decision was taken hours after the body of Tafajjul Islam, who was arrested on Friday in connection with the gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl, was found in a pond on Saturday morning.

Immediately after the recovery of his body, the people of Borbheti held a meeting and made three decisions regarding the crime committed by the youth. “We have decided not to allow his burial in the village graveyard, not participate in his ‘janaja’ and social boycott of his family”, a village elder Md Shahjahan Ali Choudhury told the media.

”His act has shamed us and we cannot allow his burial in the community graveyard”, he said.

The villagers also took out a march from the village mosque to protest against the gang rape of a teenage girl. The march was led by Sadou Asom Goria Moria Deshi Jatiya Parishad (SAGMDJP).

Tafajjul was arrested in connection with the gangrape of the teenage girl who was returning home from tuition on her bicycle at Dhing on Thursday evening.

Two other accused- Gulab Uddin and Faridul Islam are still absconding and the search was continuing with raids conducted at several places.

Gulab Uddin has been identified as a barber by profession while Faridul Islam is a driver.

“Tafajjul was taken handcuffed to the location where the crime was allegedly committed for a re-creation of the crime scene around 3.30 am. But he hit out at a policeman, escaped from police custody and jumped into the pond,” Nagaon Superintendent of Police Swapneel Deka told reporters in Nagaon.

“A search operation was launched by the SDRF and his body was recovered after nearly two hours,” the SP said adding that a policeman was also injured and admitted to a hospital.

His mortal remains were sent to Nagaon BP Civil Hospital for autopsy.

The victim girl has been shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). She was left injured and unconscious on the roadside near a pond, before being rescued by locals who informed police.

Despite the killing of the prime accused, various women and youth organizations, including the Nagaon District Students Union (NDSU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) continued their protest demanding the arrest of two other accused in connection with the case.

Amid the boiling situation, Transport Minister Keshab Mahanta visited the victim’s family on Saturday and reviewed the prevailing situation.

AJYCP president Palash Changmai, AASU president Utpal Sarma, Marowari Samaj, AGP’s minority cell visited Dhing and took stock of the situation.